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• Sirianni excited by 'playmaker' Barkley after stellar Eagles debut

  Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is excited to see what comes next from Saquon Barkley after he scored three touchdowns on a memorable debut for the team on Friday.

  Barkley shone as the Eagles started the season with a 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL's first international game to take place in Sao Paulo.

  The former New York Giants back rushed for two touchdowns and caught a Jalen Hurts pass for another, becoming the first player to score three touchdowns on his Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.

  Barkley finished with 109 rushing yards and 23 receiving off two catches, including a terrific 18-yard reception for his first score – the first touchdown to be scored in South America.

  Sirianni hailed the two-time Pro Bowler's influence after the win, saying: "We are so excited to have him. He made some huge, huge plays throughout this entire game.

  "He made it in the pass game. He made plays in the run game. He made some huge plays in critical moments and scored a bunch of touchdowns.

  "To have him on our football team means a lot. [General manager] Howie [Roseman] did a great job of putting this team together. 

  "He's a playmaker and he's a great leader and a great person. People feed off his energy and so you could feel all of that, not only in the plays he was making but the energy he had."

  Barkley, meanwhile, was delighted to make NFL history as he became the first player to score a touchdown on three different continents, having previously done so in London with the Giants in 2022.

  "I'm the first person to ever score in South America!" Barkley said. "That's cool. I'm definitely trying to get the game ball and that's something to hang up and put in my house.

  "The O-line played great. That's a big reason why I wanted to come to Philly when I had the opportunity and why it was a no-brainer for me. 

  "We still have a lot to improve on, including myself. So, it meant a lot to come out here and take advantage of the opportunity to be the first team to play in South America. Not only just play, but to take care of business and get the W too."

• 'That's the franchise right there' – Packers wait on Love injury after Eagles loss

  The Green Bay Packers are waiting to discover the severity of an injury suffered by quarterback Jordan Love in the closing stages of their Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

  The Packers were beaten 34-29 by Philadelphia in the NFL's first international game in Sao Paulo, letting a halftime lead slip as debutant Saquon Barkley inspired the Eagles to victory.

  Running back Barkley rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns as well as catching two Jalen Hurts passes for 23 yards and another score, becoming the first player with three touchdowns on their Eagles debut since Terrell Owens in 2004.

  Things got worse for the Packers on the final drive of the game, as Love dropped back to pass and was caught between Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter and outside linebacker Josh Sweat.

  Love appeared to twist his lower left leg and had to be helped from the field, with Malik Willis coming in to take the final two snaps as Green Bay failed to fight back.

  Love's injury came in his first game since he was handed a new four-year, $220million contract that made him the league's joint-highest paid player, leaving the Packers nervous about his condition.

  "That's the franchise right there," defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. "Hopefully, he can be back next week and he can be all right."

  Head coach Matt LaFleur was twice asked about Love's condition in his post-game press conference, simply responding: "I don't know".

  Love completed 17 of his 34 passing attempts in Friday's game for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

  The Packers are next in action versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on September 15, before visiting the Tennessee Titans for their first road game one week later.

• Chase committed to Bengals despite contract dispute

  Ja'Marr Chase has committed to giving his all for the Cincinnati Bengals this season despite failing to agree a contract extension with the franchise.

  Chase, who caught seven touchdown passes and tallied 1,216 receiving yards last season, described his current situation as "aggravating" to reporters.

  The Bengals kickstart their 2024 season this weekend against the New England Patriots, and Chase suited up for practice on Friday after skipping a workout earlier this week.

  "It's my decision," said Chase, whom the Bengals listed as questionable to play.

  Chase compiled 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons with the Bengals. 

  In 2023, he caught a career-high 100 passes, tying for second-most in a season in Bengals history.

  He is also one of only eight players in NFL history who have reached 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first three seasons in the league.

  The Bengals are keen to keep one of their prized assets, with Chase indicating talks are continuing as their Week 1 assignment draws closer. 

  "It's a small chance, but who knows what'll happen in these next couple hours?" Chase said.

  Chase still has two years remaining on his rookie deal as he had his fifth-year option picked up, which will see him earn $9.8million this season and $21.8m in 2025.

  This offseason, though, has seen several receivers get big-money deals, including A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles (three years, $96m), CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys (four years, $136 m), and Chase's former LSU team-mate Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings (four years, $140m). 

  Asked about a report that suggested he wanted to top Jefferson's $140m deal by one cent, Chase said: "If I want to beat Justin, I'm gonna beat the s*** out of Justin. 

  "Not by a penny, brother."